I am the proud owner of a 2002 VW Golf GT TDI. Not only is it practical, comfortable, economical and has plenty of pull, but it’s the best all-round car I’ve ever owned. Carlsburg don’t make cars, but if they did, they’d be probably be VW Golfs.

I love this car so much that I’ve just braved the pain of paying to have it serviced at a VW dealer. Although it’s pricey, I prefer the peace of mind.

Amongst a catalogue of minor repairs, both cooling fans were found to be inoperable. When the fuse was replaced, it blew. This, according to VW, means both fans are caput and must be replaced at (the not insignificant) cost of £420.96. One fan I can understand, but both? Are they serious?

Apparently they were. So after picking my jaw up off the floor I’ve done a little research online, and found that failing cooling fans are a fairly common problem on Mark IV Golfs, even low milers like mine.

Now it’s not the car that needs the cooling fans, it’s me.

Today’s whinge is all about the rising cost of Platinum. In just four days, the price of a wedding ring I tried on at the weekend has risen by a staggering £45. I’m not only astounded, I’m also outraged. This 7.2% increase equates to an obscene rise of 46p per hour.

And that’s not it. Due to an under supply of Platinum, the price hikes are set to continue long after we’ve skipped down the aisle, forcing us to buy now or pay much much more later.

Through a friend I’ve heard it’s possible to save a significant amount of cash by buying through Wedding Rings Direct rather than at a high street jeweller. It sounds like a great idea, and I’m definitely heading over there to check it out, but I really have to wonder whether the purchase of something so special should involve just a little more romance. Online shopping carts and ‘proceed to check out’ buttons kinda kill the moment.

Shopping for wedding rings over the net just seems so clinical, so business-like. But so much cheaper. I think it’s probably time I stamped on those rose tinted specs.

Welcome to my blog about life in Rip Off Britain, appropriately known as ROB.